As you prepare your tax returns for 2012, be warned: A number of states have made or are considering big changes to their state income taxes. With some of those changes already having taken effect, you need to know whether you're in the line of fire -- or in line for a tax break.

Millions of Americans count on getting their tax refunds as soon as possible, but thanks to Congress, ASAP hasn't been all that soon this year. However, the IRS has worked through all the changes from the long-delayed fiscal cliff deal and is ready to start taking all of our tax returns.

You have to do your tax return, but with the tax laws as complicated as they are, that job's tougher than ever. If you need help but don't want to pay through the nose, here are some resources that can get you tax filing assistance for free.

With Washington gridlocked again over whether to raise their taxes, it turns out wealthy families already are paying some of their biggest federal tax bills in decades even as the rest of the population continues to pay at historically low rates.

President Obama is going all out to warn Americans about what could happen if the sequester hits. The country's response: a collective yawn, as we assume that after the political grandstanding, a deal will be struck as usual. But that may not happen this time.

The White House has detailed the potential fallout in each state from budget cuts set to take effect at week's end, while congressional Republicans and Democrats keep up the sniping over who's to blame.

On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, one of the most outspoken critics of President Obama's Affordable Care Act -- and the Medicaid expansion it carries with it -- announced that Florida will accept the federal windfall that the program will bring.

President Barack Obama is urging congressional Republicans to accept more tax revenue in order to avert the sequester -- an $85 billion, across-the-board budget cut due to take effect March 1 that could derail America's still stuttering economic recovery.